“We held a successful trial in all the six dialysis machines each with a capacity to dialyse 10 patients during the day and six patients at night when we start the night shift, which translates to 60 in a day,” he said. The theme of the event was “Kidneys and Women’s Health: Include, Valueand Empower” and coincided with the International Day of Women. During the ceremony, hundreds of women turned up for free screening for kidney diseases which was provided by doctors and nurses drawn from KNH, Aga Khan, Nairobi, Mater and other hospitals based in Nairobi.
The World Kidney Day is celebrated worldwide and is a global awareness campaign that aims at not only increasing awareness on the importance of our kidneys to our health but also assist in reducing the impact of kidney diseases and its associated problems worldwide.
According to experts, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the eighth leading cause of death in women causing more than 600,000 female deaths a year. Currently, 195 million women worldwide are affected by CKD. Experts say CKD is more likely to develop in women compared to men with an average 14 per cent prevalence in women and 12 per cent in men. At the same time, some kidney diseases such as Lupus Nephropathy or kidney infection are more common in women.
Women who have CKD during pregnancy are at increased risk for negative outcomes for the mother and the baby. Pregnancies in women with advanced CKD are most challenging. Media personality Lorna Irung’u is among the first people to publicly declare she was living with Lupus Nephrology. Dr. Were described high blood pressure and diabetes as “the biggest drivers” which were fuelling the increased cases of kidney diseases in the country.
Other high-risk factors include having a family history of kidney disease, being overweight, smoking and those aged 50 years and above. Experts say kidney diseases can affect people of all ages and races and one in every five men and one in four womenbetween the ages of 65 and 74 have CKD.Early CKD often has no sign or symptoms. Experts say a person can lose up to 90 per cent of their kidney function before experiencing any signs.
Specialists confirmed that CKD can be detected by simple tests which include:0A urine test to check if there is any protein in your urine or0Blood test to measure the level of creatinine in blood. At the same time, signs of advancing CKD include: swollen ankles, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating and decreased appetite and foamy.
Experts say the function of kidneys include making urine, removing wastes and extra fluid from your blood, controlling your body’s chemical balance, helping to control your blood pressure and helping in keeping your bones healthy. Doctors recommend several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney diseases which include keeping fit and active; keeping regular control of your blood sugar level; monitoring your blood pressure and eating healthy and keeping your weight in check.
Others are maintaining a healthy fluid intake, avoiding smoking and avoiding taking over-the-counter pills on a regular basis and having your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘’high risk’’ factors: you have diabetes; you have hypertension; you are obese and one of your parents or other family members suffers from kidney disease. Dr. Were said before the 160-bed kidney hospital opens, the University of Nairobi has increased the number of kidney courses for doctors and nurses from diploma to masters levels in Nephrology.
“The senate is also discussing the introduction of masters and diploma in renal nutrition courses which we expect to introduce from September,” he said. He also confided that they want to introduce fellowship in laboratory transplantation where the country has been relying on South Africa for tissue typing (Lymphocyst cross match), which is expensive and costs Sh70, 000 per case. Dr .Were lauded NHIF for providing cover to kidney patients but appealed to the Fund to also pay for the drugs that were required by kidney survivors saying their price was exorbitantand most patients were unable to access them.
